James Earl Jones Officially Retires as Darth Vader

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney+, Uncategorized

Thanks to the success of shows like The Mandalorian and Obi-Wan Kenobi,  the future of the Star Wars franchise is largely on the small screen, which means that Darth Vader will live again, so to speak. However, he will do so without the legendary James Earl Jones voicing his character. 

James Earl Jones has officially retired as Star Wars Darth Vader. The Oscar winner has been the voice of one of the most iconic villains (that we love to hate) since the first Star Wars film (A New Hope) debuted in 1977. Though David Prowse physically portrayed the Sith Lord, it’s James Earl Jones’s booming voice that we associate with the character. He lent his voice to Darth Vader on both big and small screens (and even in video games). 

It is unclear at this time who will replace Jones as the voice of the character. His unique and iconic voice is truly beyond compare. It is speculated, however, that no one will replace the aging actor and that fans will continue to his voice behind Vader’s mask for many years to come. At his retirement, Jones signed over the rights to his voice to both Lucasfilm and Ukrainian-based Respeecher. 

Respeecher is a voice cloning AI program that, according to their website the program, “Replicate[s] voices for any media project — from a Hollywood movie to an engaging video game. Our machine learning technology masters every aspect of your target voice to create a spot-on match.” Given the fact that Vader’s voice had no appreciable difference (which there should have been given that the actor is 91 years old), many speculate that Respeecher is responsible for Darth Vader’s voice in Obi-Wan Kenobi.  

Despite his retirement from the role, Lucasfilm still reportedly discusses their plans for Lord Vader with Jones. Jones also voiced another beloved Disney character, Mufassa from The Lion King.  

TikToker Publicly Apologizes For Being Rude to a Cast Member

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

Via DisDining.com

We live in an age where social media is the way many people communicate nowadays. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok are massive platforms where people can share their love of things with people around the world. One of the fastest growing platforms is people sharing their love for all things Disney. Some people focus on Disneyland, some on Walt Disney World Resort, others on Disney Cruise Line, and some focus on all of it.

While we love seeing people share fun things about their Disney trips, as well as tips and tricks you can use while visiting, it is no secret that TikTokers, and those who want to be social media influencers, are making the jobs of Disney Cast Members incredibly difficult. People are constantly breaking rules in order to make a video and get attention.

Now, one very prominent TikToker is going viral for all the wrong reasons, but it’s not because of what she did while in the Parks — although it started there.

You may or may not know about the TikToker, Theme Park Mom. She is constantly in the Parks, sharing the experiences that she has, and she has amassed quite the following. However, one of her recent videos has put her on the receiving end of a lot of Disney fans’ anger.

In one video, she tells the story of people who were rude to a Cast Member while she was in line to meet Donald Duck. Theme Park Mom tells Guests to be nice to Cast Members, as they are just doing their job.

Not long after that video was posted, a woman claiming to work at a Starbucks location in Disney called Theme Park Mom out for being rude. The Cast Member said that Theme Park Mom placed a coffee order during a very busy time. According to the Cast Member, the woman was very impatient and wanted her drink, while others who got their first were still waiting. The Cast Member called out Theme Park Mom’s rude behavior and said that she should practice what she preaches and be nice to Cast Members.

Starbucks Disney

Theme Park Mom issued an apology video and seemed to be sorry for her behavior — the video has since been deleted. However, we are now learning that instead of being sorry for how she acted, Theme Park Mom apologized publicly but, behind the scenes, got the Cast Member who called her out fired.

The Cast Member deleted her original video, though some people were able to screenshot the comments where the Cast Member said that the woman had reported her and that the Cast Member was afraid she would lose her job. And that is exactly what happened.

Theme Park Mom is now being called out by fellow influencers and Disney fans alike for her appalling actions. Things seemed to have gotten so bad for Theme Park Mom that she now no longer allows people to comment on her videos — although she still frequently posts.

If and when you visit a Disney Park, please remember that Cast Members work very hard to keep the magic alive and create great memories for Guests. Their number one priority is Guests and their safety. While Cast Members frequently have to deal with Guests’ problems, you can always brighten their day by being kind when you interact with them.

Disney Announces Release Dates For ‘Mufasa’, ‘Inside Out 2’, ‘Snow White’, and More!

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Last week, Disney hosted the D23 Expo, the ultimate fan event. At the Expo, Disney hosted so many great panels that let Guests hear from casts of upcoming films and series like The Santa Clauses, as well as past hits like Encanto. In addition, Disney hosted a Disney and Pixar film panel — where cameras were not allowed — and they shared more info on upcoming films like Snow White and Inside Out 2. They also announced that some new series would be coming down the pike — like The Lion King prequel, Mufasa: The Lion King.

The D23 Expo may have ended, but that does not mean that the news has stopped coming. While Disney announced a number of projects at the Expo, most of them did not have release dates — until now. Disney waited until this week to officially announce their slate, which includes the pushing back of the highly anticipated live-action film, The Haunted Mansion. The movie — which will star Rosario Dawson, Tiffany Haddish, Danny DeVito, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Jared Leto — was supposed to be released on March 10, 2023, but will now premiere on August 11, 2023.

Haunted Mansion Movie

After The Haunted Mansion, Disney will release its newest animated feature, Wish. Disney also shared that Pixar’s next film Elio — the story of a young boy who meets aliens — will be released on March 1, 2024. That will be followed up by the highly-anticipated, but also highly controversial, live-action remake, Snow White on March 22, 2024. Next up? Disney announced that Mufasa will be released on July 5, 2024.

Here’s what we know about Mufasa: The Lion King — it will show the future king as he washed away in a flood. Alone and struggling, Mufasa must find a new pride to become a part of. The film will show that Mufasa was not born into royalty, he learned it. The series will also feature the popular sidekicks, Timon and Pumbaa — who will once again be voiced by Billy Eichner and Seth Rogan.

As for Wish, the film will tell the story of Asha, who lives in the fairy tale kingdom called the Kingdom of Wishes. The film will show viewers the origin of the famous Wishing Star but, of course, not everything goes smoothly in this kingdom and Asha learns that there is a dark side to her idyllic home. West Side Story star Ariana DeBose will voice Asha.

‘Haunted Mansion’ Release Date Pushed Back Months

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

The Walt Disney Company has always been known for its incredible slate of both animated and live-action films. From classics like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Bambi to hits like High School Musical and Enchanted. In recent years, Disney has made a big push to make some of its most famous animated films into live-action remakes. While Disney started with princess hits like Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, they are now working on unique choices like Lilo & Stitch and The Aristocats.

Disney doesn’t only find success with live-action films based on animated films. They have also had massive success with films based on popular theme park attractions. One of their biggest hit franchises is Pirates of the Caribbean, starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, and Kiera Knightly. Disney attempted to make another live-action film based on a ride, The Haunted Mansion, in 2003 — the same year the first Pirates film came out — but that movie, which starred Eddie Murphy, was a massive box-office flop.

Eddie Murphy Haunted Mansion

The Haunted Mansion continues to be one of Disney’s most popular attractions at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort, so Disney is giving a live-action film another go. This version of The Haunted Mansion will star Rosario Dawson, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Lakeith Stanfield, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Tiffany Haddish. The film was set to be released on March 10, 2023, but we are now learning that Disney has pushed the release date back by months. The new film will be released in theaters on August 11, 2023.

The move may seem surprising to some, but Disney appears to have so much confidence in the film that they are putting it in a spot typically reserved for big summer hits. When it is released, The Haunted Mansion will go up against the horror film Last Voyage of Demeter, Grand Turismo, and the Zendaya-led film Challengers.

According to Disney, this version of The Haunted Mansion will tell the story of single mother Gabbie, played by Dawson, who moves to New Orleans with her young son. They purchase a mansion that is not exactly what it seems. Owen Wilson will play a priest, Danny DeVito will play a college professor, Jared Leto will appear as the iconic Hatbox Ghost, and Jamie Lee Curtis will play Madame Leota. The film will be directed by Justin Simien.

Again, The Haunted Mansion will now premiere in theaters on August 11, 2023.

Disney Cruise Line to Offer Magical Sailings in Australia and New Zealand for the First Time

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

At D23 Expo, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro announced that Disney Cruise Line is bringing the magic of a Disney vacation to families and fans in Australia and New Zealand during limited-time “Disney Magic at Sea” cruises that immerse guests in Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars stories beginning in late October 2023.

Repositioning cruises for the Disney Wonder will be the first South Pacific voyages for Disney Cruise Line, giving guests the chance to experience destinations like Fiji and Samoa.

The Disney Wonder will embark on these “Disney Magic at Sea” cruises through Feb. 2024, ranging from two to six nights and departing from four home ports: Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Australia; and Auckland, New Zealand. 

“Disney Magic at Sea” bookings open Sept. 29 for Australia and New Zealand and repositioning sailings open Oct. 6 for the general public.

Guests that are Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club and select other affinity groups may take advantage of the following extended early booking windows for the repositioning cruises:

  • Oct. 3, 2022: Platinum Castaway Club Members & Golden Oak Members
  • Oct. 4, 2022: Gold Castaway Club Members
  • Oct. 5, 2022: Silver Castaway Club Members, eligible Disney Vacation Club Members and Adventure Insiders
  • Oct. 6, 2022: All Guests

Additionally, guests onboard the repositionaing sailings arriving or departing from Sydney will have exclusive access to a special Adventures by Disney itinerary. The Sydney Escape offers a 4-day, 3-night adventure, where guests will explore some of the best this magnificent city has to offer, making it the perfect pre- or post-adventure for their South Pacific Disney Cruise.